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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2026
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.07956 |
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Table of Contents:
- The rapid advancement of generative AI (GenAI) is expanding access to songwriting, offering a new medium of self-expression for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) individuals. However, emerging technologies that support DHH individuals in expressing themselves through music have largely been evaluated in single-session settings and often fall short in helping users unfamiliar with songwriting convey personal narratives or sustain engagement over time. This paper explores songwriting as an extended, music-based journaling practice that supports sustained emotional reflection over multiple sessions. We introduce SoulNote, a GenAI system enabling DHH to engage in iterative songwriting. Grounded in user-centered design, including a design workshop, a preliminary study, and a multi-session diary study, our findings show that ongoing songwriting with \textit{SoulNote} facilitated emotional growth across three dimensions: self-insight, emotion regulation, and \revised{everyday attitudes toward emotions and self-care}. Overall, this work demonstrates how GenAI can support marginalized communities by transforming creative expression into a daily practice of self-discovery and reflection.